Who Regressed the Timekeeper? (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
Melburn, who had listened carefully to Rita’s words, groaned as he stood up. Rita, bewildered, asked,
“Where are you going?”
“…….”
He closed his mouth and looked around. As Rita had said, the room was now unrecognizably tidy. The broken bricks, cracked window frames, and shattered stairs—all had been neatly repaired.
He hadn’t stayed here out of affection. He’d merely remained because his wages were higher than those of the other servants. Reflecting on it, the reason his family—ignorant peasants, not even nobles—had served as butlers here for three generations was solely thanks to the previous dukes’ indifference and neglect.
Occasionally, whether it was the late Melburn or the current Melburn who felt the urge to improve something, that desire would only circle in his mind before vanishing. He’d never had either the confidence or the grounds to convince the former dukes otherwise.
Thus, the late Melburn could only strip courage from the future Melburn and pass down nothing but helplessness.
But…….
Melburn spoke softly.
“I, too, should show my lord at least a modicum of sincerity.”
Then he turned and left the inner chamber. Surely, he intended to consult with the servants about how to arrange the ducal castle before the carpenters arrived.
“…….”
Rita, watching his retreating back with her mouth agape, unconsciously clenched her fist. She turned her flushed face toward the newly installed windowpane, which gleamed brightly. Beyond it, bare branches swayed in the cold wind.
Though winter was in full swing, her heart was already in spring.
That evening, Amy set down the letter she’d finished reading onto her lap and pressed her fingers firmly between her eyes.
‘Thank goodness the ducal castle’s butler is sharp and efficient.’
She and Joseph had pushed themselves hard to finish repairs and preparations before Noah’s arrival, and fortunately, they’d worked in perfect harmony. She’d worried that even if they poured all their effort in, it would be wasted if the other side didn’t reciprocate—but things had gone smoothly, which was a relief.
Amy rolled her stiff shoulders.
‘We’re not far from the North now—I must keep going.’
She buried her nose once again in the documents Joseph had painstakingly prepared. It was a report concerning land reclamation and the reconstruction of the marketplace in the village directly beneath the ducal castle.
She had gathered information through mercenaries about skilled artisans in gold, silver, brass, and bronze, as well as reputable blacksmiths, and invited them to come north.
The offer was extraordinary: funding for relocation, provision of shops, and reduced tax rates until they were settled. Though some declined, most accepted, and under the cooperation of the ducal castle’s butler and the village’s influential figures, they were already building shops and homes.
‘If handled properly, the harsh cold can be overcome.’
Amy set down her quill and fell into thought. The duchy was a land of opportunity hidden beneath ice. She hadn’t lured the Second Prince here for nothing. In her mind’s eye, she pictured the Black Mountains at the northernmost edge of the duchy.
‘Of all names, it had to be “Black Mountains”—how ironic.’
Covered in ice and snow year-round, “White Mountains” would have suited it better. Why had it been given such a name? Had someone in the past known of its true nature?
‘Perhaps there’s a record in the historical archives—I should look when I reach the ducal castle.’
In truth, the chances of any records surviving were nearly nonexistent. If anyone had known, the North would already be one of the wealthiest regions on the continent.
Lost in thought, she suddenly lifted her head. The crackling of firewood in the hearth sounded comforting. It had grown bitterly cold the moment they entered the North, so she was grateful they could rest here.
Just then, a maid knocked and entered.
“Mistress Amy, dinner is ready.”
“Alright.”
She tidied the documents and stood up. It was time to meet the master of this manor.
“…….”
Amy unconsciously frowned. The master of the manor was absent from the dining hall.
‘What’s this about?’
When their party first arrived in the North and visited this noble’s estate as guests, Count Coleman—the manor’s owner—hadn’t shown his face to Noah either. Only the butler had come out to greet them with utmost hospitality.
The butler had apologized profusely, explaining that his master couldn’t attend due to unforeseen circumstances, and at the time, Amy hadn’t thought much of it—she’d assumed he was merely away briefly. But now, his absence from dinner as well……
‘They say there are factions in the North opposing Lord Noah’s ascension as duke—could Coleman be one of them?’
Amy glanced sideways at Noah. Though any vassal would be offended by such disrespect, his calm and composed demeanor secretly lifted her spirits.
Just then, Noah calmly asked the elderly butler,
“Is this Count Coleman’s choice?”
“…….”
Amy changed her mind. He was clearly upset after all.
“What—what an utterly unthinkable remark, Your Grace!”
The seasoned butler, understanding Noah’s implication, was horrified. He quickly gestured for the servants to leave the dining hall, locked the door himself, and knelt before Noah on the cold floor.
“I’ll speak plainly. Count Coleman is currently on his deathbed.”
“!”
Noah and Amy’s jaws dropped. Amy quickly double-checked with her eyes that the door was securely locked.
“Then who is the heir?”
“Pardon?”
The butler looked momentarily bewildered at Amy’s question, then immediately grew troubled.
“It’s just that…….”
Amy rapidly sifted through her knowledge of House Coleman.
‘House Coleman controls roughly one-sixth of the duchy, lies along the route to the Empire, enjoys the mildest climate in the North, and earns its primary income from selling dense black timber from its vast forests. The current count is elderly and childless.’
“Oh no…….”
Since the Empire and the Duchy had separated, the new Count Coleman would have to be appointed by Noah himself. But if Count Coleman truly belonged to the anti-duke faction……
‘Of all times, our arrival now could stir up troublesome rumors.’
Rumors like the Second Prince having killed the elderly count to revoke his title from the opposition. The public cared little whether rumors were true—they only wanted something sensational and entertaining.
‘The opposition will eagerly feed the fire.’
Her head ached. With so much already on her plate, Amy silently cursed at this new complication—when Noah spoke.
“Where is Viscount Burton?”
“!”
At those words, the butler turned as pale as a corpse. Amy furrowed her brow, then quickly searched her memory again.
‘Viscount Burton is one of the titles held by Count Coleman—but with no heir, who currently holds that title?’
The butler, resigned, slumped his shoulders and answered honestly.
“Viscount Burton is…… currently traveling abroad…… no, he’s run away from home.”
“…….”
Amy pinched her forehead again. She’d stopped avoiding nobles upon entering the North, fearing trouble like with House Falern. She’d hoped to establish friendly first impressions, knowing she’d have to interact with them regardless from now on……
‘Why must the road to the ducal castle be so treacherous?’
It felt like an ominous foreshadowing—that her path ahead was thickly lined with traps, sending a chill down her spine.
“At any rate, Count Coleman is still alive, correct?”
The butler wiped his sweat and nodded at Noah’s question.
“Yes, Your Grace. Though I doubt he’ll last much longer…….”
“We’ll depart at dawn tomorrow. Inform him accordingly. No farewell is needed.”
Noah stated firmly, then seated Amy in a chair. Half-dazed, Amy sat down automatically, then jumped up in alarm.
‘Wait—I should be attending to His Grace!’
But Noah was already seated at the head of the table. Reluctantly, Amy sat back down. At Noah’s nod, the butler reopened the door, and servants brought in the meal.
After dinner, Amy and Noah held an urgent meeting. Amy asked the question foremost on her mind.
“How did you know about Viscount Burton?”
“I overheard the chancellor mention it once while I was at the imperial palace.”
Amy frowned.
“Count Coleman definitely has no children. So who could Viscount Burton be?”
“They say he’s an illegitimate son.”
Ah, just as she’d suspected. The chancellor knew, but since the child hadn’t been formally acknowledged, he wasn’t recorded in official documents—that was why Amy hadn’t known.
“So it’s not an official title—just a convenient way the North refers to him? The previous duke must not have approved it.”
“That man didn’t just fail to approve it. He warned me to brace myself.”
“Who? The chancellor?”
“Yes.”
Amy silently made a face. The chancellor, who resembled a pot-bellied weasel turned human, was the Empress’s man. He’d probably mocked Noah endlessly before his departure from the palace, disguising it as “advice.”
“Just ignore such people.”
Noticing Amy’s indignation, Noah smiled gently. He nodded, looking slightly shy.
“Yes, because I have you, Amy.”
“……Well, that’s true.”
Amy cleared her throat awkwardly and returned to the main topic.
“Of the duchy’s total territory, about one-third will be your direct domain, Lord Noah, while the rest consists of fiefs held by northern vassal nobles like Count Coleman. Cooperation with them is essential.”
“You mean it’ll be troublesome if they raise objections.”
“Precisely.”
Noah looked at Amy and said,
“And they’re likely prepared to hinder me under someone else’s orders.”
“…….”
Unable to deny it with a lie, Amy stayed silent. Noah, as if expecting this, quietly lowered his eyes. A long silence hung between the two.
How much time passed?
“Amy.”
Noah lifted his head and called her name.
“Yes, Your Grace. Please speak.”
Noah swallowed hard and carefully began,
“What should I do?”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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